Monday Monday, Ba Da ...

Anybody else remember that Mamas and Papas song?

Note to self: remember that two loads of blouses and slacks on hangers are really too heavy to bring upstairs from the laundry. Since I did that twice yesterday, maybe this note will make me remember next time. (Yeah, right.)

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Parking Lot Close to the Amherst Cinema -- called The Academy Lot

On Friday, I went to see Won't You Be My Neighbor? which is the movie about Mr. Rogers. It's a fine movie about a fine man. I miss him but I'm glad that he was not here for the horror of taking children away from their parent(s).

His whole mission in life was to tell the world that children have feelings just as strong as adults and they need to be encouraged and uplifted and loved. My favorite song of his (from when I was doing home daycare) is "I Like to Be Told." Let the kids know you're going to Grandma's house or whatever before the actual event. 

The movie is a great mix of file footage of interviews with Fred Rogers, clips from the show, and the clip of his testifying before the Senate committee which saved public television. Everyone should see this movie!

The sign for the Amherst Cinema is on the top left in shadow. I was really taking pictures of the stella d'oro.

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Then, on Saturday, it was back to the Amherst Cinema for the movie about Hokusai. 


Hokusai's most famous: The Wave

I have been crazy about Hokusai's woodcuts and paintings since Mom and I saw an exhibit of his work in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Imagine my amazement and delight when I was in Monet's cottage in France and I realized that Monet had a collection of Hokusai's (and others') works! Of course, I hadn't realized that Monet had turned his lily pad laden garden pond into a Japanese garden because he was fascinated with all things Japanese.

The movie was presented by the London Art Museum who had featured Hokusai in the summer of 2017. I would have liked to have seen that because they had the works arranged by themes in various rooms or niches. There was a lot of information including the fact that Hokusai was a very popular illustrator of novels.

There were experts giving the viewer all kinds of facts but I was so taken with a guy named Key (or Keyes, you know how awful my memory is). He got very emotional seeing perhaps the oldest Hokusai print known to exist. He was just overcome with its beauty. It was a privilege to see someone so happy and engrossed by his passion for this art.
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Here's my cherry tomato. The nail is discolored because I had just nipped off a sucker branch. Honest.

These are my "regular" sized tomatoes. They are about the size of a cherry tomato.

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I learned a very important thing the other day. Even if it won't fill it up, don't put seltzer into one of those travel containers with a straw. I had finished the water and dumped a can of seltzer into the container. Who knew that the seltzer would bubble up the straw and start spewing out of the spout on top? The other people at rehearsal were more amused than I. 

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It rained like crazy last night. I really think we got an inch of rain during one half hour. Anyway ... the plants liked it! And I like it because I don't have to water them!

Yeah, I know. Somebody oughta get out there and weed. Still waiting for Somebody to show up. 

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Stuff. As George Carlin said, "The only reason we need houses is to hold our stuff." Yesterday I decided to see if I had some sheets and towels that I can give away. Who knew I had so much extra stuff?? I now have three giant trash bags of mostly sheets. And I had already donated the twin sized sheets. Phew! I still have a lot more weeding to do in the linen closet. (Weeding is a library term. They weed the books that nobody is taking out any more or the ones that are falling apart. All of it is to make room for new materials -- but not in my case!)

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So far it's a perfect summer's day. It has just now reached 73 degrees at 11:30 a.m. It probably will go to the mid 80's which is fine with me as long as it's not too humid. Starting at the end of the week, we are supposed to get into over 90 degrees for more than a week. That's when we New Englanders begin to whine. Although ... my next door neighbors have invited me to use their family pass to the War Memorial Pool. That might be fun. Then again, I had better remember to bring ear plugs. It has been a lot of years since I have been at that pool with kids but I have vague memories of a lot of (joyous) screaming.

Cheers!

Sweet Summer Thursday

Yes it's a lovely sunny 77.2 F. and I don't even mind the heat because there is an intoxicating breeze.

Ann took me to the dump, er, landfill today so I could leave the unsold tag sale items at the "take it or leave it" spot. It felt good to get that stuff off the lawn -- it was too messy! The tag sale went fine and I'm very grateful to my daughters who were a BIG help. Besides myself, Deb, Emily, Naomi, and Phyllis were selling at the tag sale.

Deb was a sweetie and helped Naomi load into the car and take a desk to the Trading Post. Naomi really wanted to be rid of that unwieldy piece of furniture. Deb also pulled up my mailbox (as requested) with gargantuan strength and some guy bought it just few minutes later. 

And I earned enough cash so I can pay for this Sunday's ticket to Happy Together which is a concert of 70s music. Yay! Lisa and I are going to that.

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Note to self: the next time you think jalapeno poppers for breakfast are a good idea, remember that it is not.

Just kidding -- I made the poppers (along with Belle's Biscuits) at breakfast time in order to beat the heat. It worked well because the oven did not seem to make the kitchen hotter.

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It was time to water the violas. The one pot that yelled at me is not pictured here because they are very sad. I'm thinking about moving them to the back of the house (north side) which will be cooler for them. I think these got more shade from the crab apple tree.

And, surprise! Somehow, I now have a peony in the front of the house. I don't know how that's possible because as far as I know, you propagate them using a root. I sure as heck didn't dig one up and put it there! It's peeking out from the rhododendron which doesn't bloom. I have to hack that back a bit to reach the water faucet easier.

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So at the landfill, I struck up a conversation with the attendant. I never got his name but he became quite voluble after I told him I had worked for the Town for 30 years and I even knew one of his colleagues who used to work there.

I mentioned how in California, they only have one recycling bucket for home owners. We have a red one for plastic, cans, and glass. The blue one is for paper and cardboard only. Each bucket is picked up every other week so I'm always going online to find out what week it is.

He said, "They are killing recycling." What? It turns out, even though there are machines in California to separate the cans from the paper, the loads that are sorted are "contaminated" with wrong items. And we used to sell the sorted loads to China, who cleverly make things out of the recycled trash. But ... they won't buy and are rejecting the contaminated loads. This guy said some communities have resorted to burying the "recycled items"!

He said the Amherst way with two buckets is the original way and some communities are going back from the one bucket way to that. I guess it was for convenience for the homeowner that made communities choose the one container method. 

I agree, it is a royal pain in the neck having two containers inside and two outside. But I'm glad our stuff is actually recycled.

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I told you last time that I would show you my tomatoes. (Thank you, Emily!)

The bucket on the left is a "regular" sized tomato and on the right is a bush type -- cherry tomatoes. If you look really closely, you can see basil on the right which I have to move out. I have been waiting for the lettuce to die out so I can use that pot. I think the green leaf is just about done, but the red leaf lettuce can be harvested again!!

If you think the tomato leaves are pale, it's because those bloomin' cottonwood seeds/fluff are all over them. I'l be putting stakes into the pots soon ...

And the other gift from Emily is happy as a clam ...

Below is from the back.

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Last Sunday my fabulous neighbors invited me to a barbecue. What a fabulous meal they grilled! Ribs, lamb, and pork were expertly done and the sides were fabulous. I especially liked the Asian slaw. So that I knew I could have dessert, I brought a carrot cake cheese cake (Kristie H. Sullivan's keto recipe). The outer edge is carrot cake and the inside is cheese cake. I was very proud of myself because I figured out how to make the blueberry topping. It was delicious and even some of the kids liked it!

Leftovers

One of the adults said it must be good for you because it has carrots in it ...

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Speaking of recycling -- we were earlier, remember? -- I saw on FaceBook that there is a company that scrapes gum off sidewalks. It then cleans it and turns the used gum into sneakers! And they are bubble gum pink and (supposedly) smell like bubble gum.

So now my question is: how many wads of chewing gum does it take to make sneakers? I found this whole thing very interesting because I don't chew gum due to my extensive dental work, but yesterday, I saw someone else's gum hanging off my tire. My first instinct was to flick it off my tire but then I realized -- what would I do with it?? So I let it wear off.

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My blood tests came back that were ordered because I will be volunteering at our local hospital coffee shop. Everything that is supposed to be positive is and everything that is supposed to be negative is. So I'm good to go. 

They will do a criminal records check and I think that's it. I was surprised that they didn't do a tine test for TB. Apparently, they don't do that any more but there was a blood test that indicated negative for TB. I thought they had forgotten it! That tine test was a pain. They made a few punctures and you had to return in a few days to have it 'read.'

It's really important in this area that we are tested for everything. We have many many foreign students and professors. And many 'regular' residents travel extensively for research and/or fun. 

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I really am enjoying retirement! Ann and I had lunch at my house yesterday. I had put some chuck roast in the crock pot in the early morning so we had lovely pot roast and a fresh salad. Of course, I included olives on the salad. I think Ann likes them as much as I do. (Her hubby doesn't like olives so I don't think she buys them.)

Well, that's it. Tonight I go to rehearse with Rock Voices. I sure missed going while I was battling my 9 day cold. Since I need all the help I can get, I have been going twice a week. Tuesday is Northampton, Thursday is Hadley.

Ciao!! 

Yes, I'm Still Here

Except for taking the trash out to the curb on Sunday night, I hadn't been out of the house since Saturday afternoon. Today (Wednesday), I ventured out.

The weather was lovely, in the 70s, sunny with a nice breeze. But since I'm still hacking and coughing with a heavy cold, I stopped into the doctor's office to see if I could have an appointment. I had forgotten that they close for lunch, so I was faced with three empty chairs in the reception area. For pete's sake, the Library office stays open during lunch! We traded off lunch times. I guess that's too difficult for the doctors' office. Luckily, I only had to wait 3 minutes. But I digress.

Me:   I need an appointment. I'm coughing up green and I've been sick since Friday night.

She:  We don't have any same day appointments today with the doctor.

Me: That's o.k., a nurse would be fine.

She: We don't have any nurse here today. Would you like a same day appointment tomorrow?

Me: I guess I don't have a choice. Sure. What time?

She: You'll have to call tomorrow morning to get a same day appointment.

Do you ever feel like you're living Catch 22? I went across the street to the pharmacy and bought cough syrup (with no sugar). While I was there, I had brought a new blood sugar test kit with me because I couldn't get the lancet contraption to work. The pharmacist said they would be right with me and I said I didn't need a pharmacist (they looked really busy). I told the 12 year old pharmacy aide what I needed and she said, "I don't know how that works." Maybe if I had dressed it up like a cell phone ... 

The pharmacist finally got it to work, but I think it's not quite right because the needle part doesn't protrude far enough outside of the protective housing. But I'll make it work.

At this point, I'm on a crabby road to frustration but I continue on to our local Big Y supermarket (right next to the pharmacy). What could go wrong? One of the things on my list (3 cheers for remembering to bring the list!) was almond flour. Most of the local supermarkets here have Bob's Red Mill brand and it's small, affordable packages. In horror, I see that the Big Y is selling Pillsbury almond flour (guess who has jumped on the ketogenic -- low carb -- craze) for -- wait for it -- $13.85!! WTF.

So I use my voice google on my phone and find out that Walmart (on the way home) has Bob's Red Mill for 8 dollars and change. [At this point, I am at my 5th time out of the car. I started off at the Post Office.] 

Happily, I find the flour aisle. But wait -- there's no Bob's Red Mill. It's some other brand and it's more expensive. On closer inspection I see that the quantity is at least a third more than at the previous store, so I scoop it up.

Then I remember that it would be nice to have a scatter rug in the living room in front of the front door. I find a nice one and throw it in my bag with the cookie rack I REALLY need! I just opened up the rug to get the creases out and there's a pull in it.  Sigh.

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My first stop today was to get my mail at the Post Office where I have a box. I got so sick of finding mail in a snowbank or, worse, a nasty letter from the mailman telling me to shovel. My neighbor's box is next to mine and he never once shoveled.

But today was the third time that I got my neighbor's mail in my box. I just happened to check it because when I got back from California, it was crammed full with his mail. I won't recount the whole Post Office encounter because it's even more painful than the doctor's office. It started with a clerk who thought people were addressing my neighbor's mail to my street mailbox ... and proceeded with a supervisor who wanted to do a Spanish Inquisition with me as to what day the mail was left incorrectly. After he told me that he had a newbie deliver on this route twice in the past week, and he continued to question me, I just said, "I'm sick, I have to go."  Apparently, it was too much for him to realize that he had to speak to two carriers (the "regular" and the newbie), so it was necessary to grill me.

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Yes, the hydrangea that Emily gave me for Mothers' Day is doing well. It only had buds when she gave it to me. The white dots are the chemical that's supposed to help it be blue.

 

Yes, the peonies have bloomed.

I have Queen Anne's Lace mixed in with the peonies on the East side.

From the East side of the house.

From the West side of the house.

West side.

For those of you who like purple.

Personally, I think my neighbor waited a tad too long to mow his lawn. Yes, that's hay. He's done this two years in a row. I always feel badly for him because it's so high (at least six inches) and it takes him forever pushing his power mower. Rrrrr, rrrrr, rrrr! The former owner (The Col.) had a riding lawn mower with a bag which is what this guy needs. 

Finally, here is what happens when the cottonwood trees let go.

See that white at the edge of the grass? That's cottonwood seeds. For days now it has looked like it's snowing at various times throughout the day. Add the spring pollen which rings puddles with yellow and it's a very Daliesque setting!

By the way, my pots of violas (above) love this cool weather. Next time, I'll show you pictures of my tomatoes and basil.

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I've been watching Frasier on Netflix. I get a kick out of Bulldog, the sportscaster. He is the one that makes all kinds of noises with gongs and whistles and his radio audience eats it up. I found it really funny that because his team lost, he told his audience that he would do his show hanging from the ceiling. And in the last shot of the show, he was hanging from the ceiling. I'm not sure that he really grasps the concept of RADIO. 

Cheers!

Memorial Day Musings

I couldn't watch the National Memorial Day concert from DC last night. It was too sad. I am one of those aging peaceniks. And knowing as much as I do about Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (they no longer call it a disorder, it's a syndrome), our ongoing fighting makes me sad for the active and newly returned warriors.

I am very grateful for our military. I just wish they didn't have to fight. Wouldn't it be nice if they could just build wells and dams and help those less fortunate than we? 

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I have been productive in my own odd way. Yesterday I cooked up a storm so I don't have to cook for the rest of the week (and I froze enough for another week). Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 90s whereas yesterday and today have been in the 70s. Actually, it was in the 50s yesterday. I did get to use my new a.c. two days ago when it was 91 F.

Above: Mitsubishi Mini Split A.C.

Below is the outside apparatus for the mini split. See the empty space where two yew bushes used to be (to the right of the equipment)? That's thanks to my friend, Ann Greene and her trusty saw!

 

I now have mocha ice cream freezing. I had chilled the center of the ice cream maker for a while in the freezer and I decided the impending heat wave called for ice cream! (That's why I had an egg white omelette for breakfast. You only use the yolks in custard ice cream.) I didn't take a picture so you will have to make do with lunch.

I concocted my own spice rub for the ribs (adding a little Swerve for sweetener) and I made the cole slaw with (commercial) avocado mayo. It all was yummy. 

No pictures of supper because I didn't take the bbq chicken thigh off the bone very neatly. I was rushing to get all of the trash out for tomorrow's pickup and I wanted to include that bone. It will pair very nicely with loaded cauliflower mash. (Mashed cauli with real bacon crumbles and cream cheese.)

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I was out weeding again today. I should be done in about a year, lol.

From the front yard:

I rescued these from the Jones Library. Years ago, when a certain "friend" of the Library decided to put in a memorial garden for her husband, she unceremoniously pulled out all of these iris. The garden now has many diverse plants, few flowering. 

To the far right of this, still on the former tree mound, is where I planted the hydrangea that Emily gave me for Mothers' Day. The plant is doing well. I may have to water it tomorrow if it does go to 90F. It rained yesterday so it's o.k. today. 

And, yes, that yellow wagon is full of weeds that I pulled. What you don't see is that around the corner, the green metal lawn cart is also full of weeds and tree sucker cuttings. You think I exaggerate about having the most and best weeds in Christendom, but it's true.

Look what I found in the back yard!

I will be darned if I can remember their name, but I do remember planting them. I'll have to really work at clearing out that bed, but I have to get out there before the sun hits and that all depends on whether I can get out at 7 a.m.!

Lupine! They are lupine! I remembered something! Yay!!
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Did I bore you with my latest painting yet? It was a fundraiser for ALS at Atkins Farms with my favorite painting teacher, Teri Magner.

My friend, Michelle, said it looks like The Old Man in the Mountain (New Hampshire; his nose fell off). I hadn't noticed it until she said that and now I can't "unsee" it, lol.

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It's salad time again! My containers of lettuce are incredibly productive! The red lettuce is growing like a house afire! I can't wait until I have tomatoes. Woo hoo! Cross your fingers. 

Time for me to eat supper. It's 8:30 p.m. and I'll be falling asleep soon. But since I haven't taken a shower yet after weeding, I'm sure the smell will wake me up. Cheers!

It's Saturday and All's Quiet

Thank you to Cyndi for the carnation, and thank you to Farah for the table cloth from Dhaka!

Yes, it really is that green outside. Luckily, the lawn mowing guys came yesterday. Not only was the grass shin high, but there still was one section too wet to mow. Nobody wanted to see that honkin' big mower mired in mud!

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A bit of fiction:

Grumbling to herself because she suddenly realized that she had been cold all day, she noticed the chill more in the cellar where she was loading a wash into the washer. "I should be used to this wonderful New England weather, " she thought. But she was particularly annoyed that on the 87 degree days (almost a month ago!!), she had no air conditioning. Yesterday, after getting an expensive mini split a.c. finally installed, it was only 65 outside and there was no need to use it. And today it was not only raining, but a chilly 54 degrees outside.

Looking over at the dryer she saw flannel pajamas washed and neatly stacked. She had told herself that since she would be storing her winter clothes in the basement, she would leave them until she brought her other heavy clothes down. Then it dawned on her: put on warmer pj's and throw what you are wearing into the wash. Quickly changing out of her slacks, she looked up at the window over the dryer as she took her shirt off.

Noticing movement, she focused and jumped. Two eyes were looking at her naked torso. She quickly put on the pajama top and looked again. Nothing. Then as she replayed the image in her mind, she realized that it was not human. In fact, it had been a very red fox.

"I wonder why a fox would look into my basement window," she mused. "Could he have been curious?" She couldn't believe that a fox would be curious about a human's structure, so she chalked it up to his seeing motion and wondering if it was food.

Carting the clean dry load upstairs, she thought, "I'll make something in the oven. That will warm me up."

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Truth:

The Belle's Biscuits (recipe by Kristie Honneycut Sullivan) are especially delicious right out of the oven slathered with Kerrygold butter.

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While I'm worried that my newly planted tomato starters are shivering and about to drown from the rain, the lettuce in the back yard are happily dancing in the ridiculously cold, rainy weather. All of my veggies are in containers. I put the tomatoes on the south side (front of the house) and the lettuce in the north side (back of the house). It worked well for a while. Actually, I have harvested lettuce and parsley three times now ...

The violas in the front are very perky and cheery. 

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Yes, I was up and saw the royal wedding. Mostly. I was awake at 4 a.m. and didn't really want to stay awake, but I did. As soon as the priest pronounced them married, I fell asleep. I did not get to see them leave in a carriage. But I have seen that carriage before and I'm sure they didn't modernize it with a motor or anything. 😉

Where, Oh Where, Is It??

So I'm feeling all kinds of virtuous because I have switched to decaf coffee. Why? I went (feeling even more virtuous) to donate blood and after filling out 53 pages of questions, she took my blood pressure and rejected me. "Did you have coffee?" she asked loudly and sharply. I replied that I had, indeed, had a cup of coffee. So I have switched.

I already knew that Intelligblends has a decent tasting dark roast decaf. And I can't beat the price of $0.39/pod so I happily ordered a box. The boxes have 100 pods and are unwieldy but the price is right. And they are biodegradable!

Anyhoo ... I waited for the new shipment all the while wondering how long it would take because I was running low.  I say was because I am OUT of coffee!! I am totally addicted to decaf!

When the coffee company sent me an email telling me that the coffee should arrive in one to two business days, I was thrilled particularly since there is a link to track the package. I went to my post office box yesterday -- no coffee. This morning I checked the tracker and look what I saw:

Tracking Number

4200100492612927004886230004661684 

Reference Number

3400794 

Status

InUSPSNetwork 

Destination

AMHERST, MA 01004

Carrier

United States Postal Service - Parcel Select Delivery Confirmation 

Date	Time	Description	Location
5/2/2018	04:48 AM	Arrived at USPS delivery unit	AMHERST, MA 01002
5/1/2018	10:14 PM	Processed by USPS	SPRINGFIELD, MA 01152
5/1/2018	02:30 PM	Delivery Exception	NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060
4/30/2018	07:00 PM	Arrived at USPS delivery unit	NORTHAMPTON, MA 01060
4/29/2018	05:46 PM	Departing Carrier Facility	Elizabeth, NJ 07206
4/29/2018	06:00 AM	Arrived at Carrier Facility	Elizabeth, NJ 07206
4/26/2018	12:15 AM	Departing Carrier Facility	COMMERCE, CA 900403416
4/25/2018	03:20 AM	Electronic Information Received by USPS
4/25/2018	02:22 AM	Electronic Information Sent to USPS
4/24/2018	06:46 PM	Inducted into Carrier Network	COMMERCE, CA 900403416
4/23/2018	07:06 PM	Shipped from Client	San Diego, CA 92121

Arrived in Amherst today at 4:48 a.m. Wahoo! But look closer -- the package arrived in Northampton, which is 7.8 miles away; then it was shipped to Springfield which is 25.6 miles away. Then it had to travel another 25.6 miles back from Springfield to Amherst.

I am not a mail professional, but even I can figure out it would have been shorter to bring it to Amherst from Northampton. The kicker is, I still don't know if it's in my mailbox because I have to drive to the post office to see if it's there. All new mail is put into the PO boxes by 11 a.m. -- but they just might have to send it to Boston first.

Oh, yeah. I did have coffee -- I drove to the Dairy Mart around the corner. I had to have some because the electrician was supposed to be here at 8 a.m. and spend four hours changing the electrical panel. I even set my alarm for 7 a.m. which is a good thing because one thing and another kept me awake until 2 a.m.

Imagine my consternation when, at 8:45 p.m., I called the electrician. "I forgot to write it down in my book. How about tomorrow?" But wait there's more.

As I'm grumbling about that, the doorbell rings. A guy I talked to yesterday -- who was supposed to CALL me between 9 and 10 a.m. -- has shown up all ready to wash the house. There's all kinds of green mold on the north side. At this point, I was not a nice person.

He's still here and I went out to see the progress a while ago. It looks fantastic. I'm really happy (and very sleepy). I may just have to take a nap after lunch.

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It's here! It's here! Of course the box of coffee pods looks like someone drop kicked it. Oh well, I'm going to make some iced coffee. It is currently 86.6 F. -- yesterday it went from 40s to 70 F. or so. We had one day of spring ... now it's summer!

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Two days later and I'm still complaining (will she never stop?) ... well, not really complaining. But I am hotter than uh, uh, uh. We had one day of spring weather in the 70s and now it's well over 80s by the end of the day. There may be some relief today since it's only 76 F., but the sun isn't out and the clouds may clear soon.

Since it was overcast and the rain had softened the ground, I went out and pulled weeds (I have the best dandelion crop in the US) for an hour. Somehow, my body hits the breaking point after one hour. And there's so much left to be done! I am determined, however.

As of yesterday, the house has been power washed and I have had a new electrical panel installed complete with (formerly missing) grounding rods. I sort of wish that the electrician hadn't informed me that he found two dead snakes which had been fried in the electric meter box. But I'm glad it was just their skeletons. 

Heat made the tulips pop.

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It's now May 11 and 59 F.  Which is a very good thing because I just spent 6.5 hours at UMass Commencement and if it were any hotter, I would have melted. I was one of 22 golf cart drivers and we ferried people with disabilities from the handicapped lot to the stadium entrance.

One young woman in her 20s had just had surgery on her hip and she had only walked for an 8 minute duration. I implored the security supervisor to let me drive her inside the gate as close as possible and he even told her where to sit so there would not be any stairs.

I took pictures but you don't really need to see me in a golf cart. Use your imagination. And even though I took pictures of the graduates-to-be, they were so far away that I don't think you can tell what that sea of black is.

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Last Saturday we went to hear/see Jim Gaffigan in Manchester, New Hampshire. It was an arena owned by Southern New Hampshire University.

We were up there with the birds, but they were really great seats!

From the left: Tina, Gracie, Sherylann, Emily

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I got some starter plants of lettuce and parsley. Again, the heat made them go !poof! and they grew like crazy. I had some of the lettuce today, making a chicken sandwich with lettuce instead of bread. It was good!

The lettuce is on the deck because it's on the north side and I was hoping they would stay cool. It's certainly cool at 59 today! Ooops, it's down to 55 F. at 8:30 p.m. I'm guessing it will get colder.

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I don't know what else I have forgotten to tell you. But I do have one story from today: some guys were talking about the offices that they worked in on campus. One was in IT and one was in Communications (which is a sort of IT department). The Communications guy asked the IT guy if he knew Ms. So and So. And he answered yes, but she had died a month ago.  She died two months after retiring! Nope, not gonna do it!! That's why I retired -- so I can enjoy it!

Everyone is envious of me. So if you're close to retiring -- do it!

Alrighty Then!

Retirement is still wonderful but it's more wonderful in the dry climes of Palm Springs. It has been cold and two days ago, the sleet left two inches of slush on the ground. But that did not daunt my faithful daffodils.

Yes, all of that garden trash is still there, but I removed it from around the crabapple tree and put new mulch there. I can only do one section at a time and then it sleeted and rained and is freakin' cold! Mumble grumble.

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Wait -- is that a drunk coming toward me? No, it's just the Avoid the Pothole game that seems particularly challenging this year. Every year we say that the potholes in the streets are the worst ever, but this year it really seems true. I hit one (that I couldn't see in the dark) and I thought the whole car was going to break. Come to think of it, maybe that huge dip/crunch is the reason my back hurts so much. And I thought it was only the cold and damp weather. Hmpf.


So I was dodging potholes on my way back from Aldi's which seems to be the only grocery store around here that has half sour pickles. I love them! The kosher dills are really too strong for me. And I even figured out how to open the plastic container. It did involve a steak knife, but I'm o.k. Nothing to see here -- no wounds!

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Some of you -- o.k., one of you -- asked for pictures of the artists' reception at the Burnett Gallery. I only took a few pictures. The other works were fabulous. I was really disappointed that you can't really see mine due to the reflection off the glass. But I was glad it was there because I saw a lot of people who wanted to touch the piece and this stopped them. 

Friends Viewing Monet's Garden

It was a decent crowd.

Val Steinberg's fabulous water colors.

Roxanne Boyd's intricate cut work -- I love the jellyfish (left).

Monet's Garden

I think most of you have seen it, but here is Monet's Garden. It's outside on the grass in Palm Springs.

My fabric collage will be hung until the end of the month. I can't wait to bring it home and take out that darn glass!

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Because it has been cold, I have been wearing socks. Today I wore one of my favorite presents. When I opened the package, which had been mailed, I thought, "Oh, this pattern looks like quilter's cuts/shapes." Then when I looked closer, I saw scissors and a woman at a sewing machine. It says, "You crafty bitch." I love it! My friend Allain knows that I often prefer dogs over people so when it is said lovingly, I don't mind being called a bitch. Hmmm ... she has a new house and is need of a house warming present ...

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The weatherman is predicting more rain for tomorrow but I don't care. I have a 1 p.m. ticket to see the filmed Metropolitan Opera of Louisa Miller by Verdi. So I will be in warm comfort listening to great singers. I just hope the person next to me isn't crunching popcorn too loudly. And there's always that one who takes so long to take the very noisy cellophane off their hard candy that I want to scream, "GIVE THAT TO ME! I'll open it for you!" Not that I get really annoyed or anything ...

Ciao, Amici!